Festival de Las Flores - Beauty in Medellín, Colombia

The Festival de Las Flores is the biggest celebration of the year in Medellín, Colombia. It lasts for over a week and is an outgrowth of the time in history when the Spanish forced the local people to carry them up the mountain on heavy wooden platforms (Silletos).

The culmination of the week of festivities, which includes concerts and many other activities throughout the city all week, is the The Festival de Las Flores Grand Parade.

The Silleteros cover the platforms that used to hold the Spaniards with flowers and parade them through the streets. Even the children carry small silletos.

During the year, the Silleteros cultivate their own flowers in the hills above Medellín and bring them into the city to sell. Today we saw the culmination of their year's work as they awed thousands of parade viewers.

Turning the ugly into something beautiful
There is no question that the Silleteros were victimized by the invading Spanish. However, their response has been a mature and healthy one. They have accepted that the abuse is a part of their history, they have created something beautiful from the pain, and they are now deservedly proud of their heritage and the contribution they make to the culture of Antioquia, the state that includes Medellín.

Tears
The tears welled up in me as I watched old ladies, old men and children struggle under their heavy burdens. They sometimes stopped to rest. When they did, the crowd shouted, "Si se puede!" (If you are able!)

I loved this passionate support that encouraged them to endure yet honored their right to do what was needed for their own bodies. They are a beautiful people, a beautiful city, a beautiful culture.